Lots of families in Australia choose to send their children to daycare. Quality daycare centres provide parents with an opportunity to create a better life for their family, while giving kids a chance to play and learn alongside their peers. Daycare centres can be found throughout Australia, from busy urban centres to regions and outback towns. Not all daycare centres are created equal, however, with vast differences in the facilities, the staff, and the overall quality of the experience. If you’re looking for a daycare centre for your child, the following factors should always be considered:
Types of daycare
Australian families have a number of options when it comes to daycare, with centre-based care including long day care and occasional care along with preschools and kindergartens. Also known as childcare, daycare centres typically cater to children who are not yet ready for school. Separate facilities or playrooms are often set up for each age group, with some centres specialising in a certain age bracket. When choosing a centre, it’s important to make your selection based on the age of your child and the type of care available. Reputation should also come into play, either through word-of-mouth recommendations or online reviews. Philosophy and approach
Daycare centres are all designed to look after children, but they often do so in very different ways. While all daycare centres do their best to create a safe and loving environment, the overall philosophy employed can differ widely. For example, while some daycare centres are focused entirely on nurturing and keeping your child safe, others may employ learning and creative activities to assist with childhood development. If you’re looking for full-time day care, it’s especially important to find a facility that shares your values and overall approach to early childhood. Facilities and size
Daycare centres can be found across Australia, from small family centres run out of private homes through to larger commercial centres with multiple staff members and playrooms. While a small intimate centre can offer some benefits for some children, larger centres often have more facilities and resources at their disposal. Some children benefit from a relaxed and informal setting, and others flourish when allowed to mingle and play with lots of other children. Creativity has a huge role to play during the formative years, so look into the play spaces and programs that are available to nurture your child’s emotional and creative skills. Staff ratios and consistency
The quality of daycare is directly related to the people employed to look after your child. Size itself is not everything, with the staff ratio a better way to find out how many carers will be available for each child. Consistency also plays a role in nurturing and development, so ask questions about staff turnover and rostering practices throughout the week and the year. Regardless of the size you choose, access to experienced and qualified staff should always be a top priority. The National Quality Framework stipulates that childcare services must be registered, which you can check on the ACECQA website. Practical concerns
Along with access to facilities and different approaches to play, there are a number of practical concerns that need to be addressed. The location of the daycare centre should always be a top priority – after all, daycare is supposed to make your life simpler and your routine easier to manage. Operating hours should also be addressed, especially if you work long hours or are involved in shift work. Availability is another important concern, with waiting lists a reality for many daycare centres across the country. While it might go without saying, childcare costs also need to be considered, so look for a daycare centre you can afford.
From nurturing and play to creativity and learning, daycare can present your child and family with a number of exciting new opportunities. While choosing the right daycare centre can seem challenging at first, the right combination of research, questions, and instinct will help you to make the right decision.
Creative Childcare
is one of the leading baby childcare centres in Australia
. We create safe spaces for children to grow, develop and reach their full potential. Get in touch with us today
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